PRESS RELEASE: SAINTS CONTESSA ANNOUNCES COMMITMENT TO SACRED HEART

By Jack Milewski, 01/04/19, 10:00AM CST

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Contessa heads close to home for college hockey

DUBUQUE, Iowa — Fighting Saints forward Derek Contessa has announced his commitment to further his education and play college hockey at Sacred Heart University. Contessa, who is in his first year with the Fighting Saints, grew up roughly an hour and a half from Sacred Heart in Freehold, New Jersey.

“It means so much to me committing there because I’ve worked so hard to get committed,” said Contessa. “I chose Sacred Heart because the hockey is good, I really like the coaching staff and the school itself is really nice.”

Contessa has been a consistent presence for Dubuque this season at forward. He has played the majority of the year on a line with Cooper Haar and Patrick Smyth, while also seeing a fair share of ice time with Bram Scheerer as well. Contessa is tied for fourth on the Fighting Saints with eight goals this season. He has contributed 14 points to the Dubuque lineup and hasn’t missed a game.

“Derek has been a consistent contributor on the ice since day one,” said head coach Oliver David. “He’s been delightful to be around and a wonderful teammate, and he is well deserving of this opportunity with Sacred Heart. Go Derek!”

Before joining the Fighting Saints, Contessa was with the Shreveport Mudbugs of the NAHL. Last season with the Mudbugs, Contessa had 21 points in 40 games.

“I’ve only been with the Fighting Saints for about half a year now,” said Contessa. “I’ve already developed so much and that’s the goal to keep developing even more so that I am ready for college hockey.”